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Worried about HIV/AIDS
Hi there,
I'm very worried about the possibility of having caught HIV (or other STDs) - following half a dozen or so encounters with female sex workers in Amsterdam's brothels, massage palours, and Red Light District booths. (I've been making up for lost time - having been celibate for many years).
Oral sex and vaginal intercourse (and one incident of anal sex) were protected by condoms on all occasions. However, I'm worried due to having developed a vague cold/flu-like illness three days after my return to England. The temperature in England was much lower than Holland - so maybe I just caught a chill??? The symptoms were: sniffy nose (though no yellow snot), headaches, and a persistant cough. This mystery illness has lasted for about a week now.
So far, I sound like a bit of a hypercondriac. However, here are two reasons why I feel I may have been exposed to HIV (and other STDs) risks:-
1) I have psoriasis on my hands, crotch, and legs. A number of the girls gave me massages - which I assume carried no infection risk. However, the red blotchy sores on my legs also came in contact with several of the ladies' vaginas during intimate contact (straddling) and erotic body-to-body massage. Have these activities exposed me to HIV (and other STDs)?
2) Also, I have both flossing cuts on my fingers and sore, red abrasions due to psoriasis. Stupidly, during one session in a brothel, I started fingering a women's vagina - before realising I may have been doing something risky. I withdrew my finger immediately and wiped it on a tissue. This insertion cannot have lasted more than a minute. Am I at risk of having caught HIV and other STD infections from this? Should I avoid "fingering" a lady in the future?
3) I believe the Amsterdam sex workers don't have to take HIV/AIDS tests if they don't want to. Given this; how would you rate the risks of catching HIV (and other infections) over there, in general?
To sum up: Due to the skin issues I've mentioned; am I at extra risk of getting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases than people with normal skin - even if I practice safe sex?
I enjoyed my trip and want to go back again: but am terrified of catching something awful!!!
Thank you very much for your help.
FABIUS
I'm very worried about the possibility of having caught HIV (or other STDs) - following half a dozen or so encounters with female sex workers in Amsterdam's brothels, massage palours, and Red Light District booths. (I've been making up for lost time - having been celibate for many years).
Oral sex and vaginal intercourse (and one incident of anal sex) were protected by condoms on all occasions. However, I'm worried due to having developed a vague cold/flu-like illness three days after my return to England. The temperature in England was much lower than Holland - so maybe I just caught a chill??? The symptoms were: sniffy nose (though no yellow snot), headaches, and a persistant cough. This mystery illness has lasted for about a week now.
So far, I sound like a bit of a hypercondriac. However, here are two reasons why I feel I may have been exposed to HIV (and other STDs) risks:-
1) I have psoriasis on my hands, crotch, and legs. A number of the girls gave me massages - which I assume carried no infection risk. However, the red blotchy sores on my legs also came in contact with several of the ladies' vaginas during intimate contact (straddling) and erotic body-to-body massage. Have these activities exposed me to HIV (and other STDs)?
2) Also, I have both flossing cuts on my fingers and sore, red abrasions due to psoriasis. Stupidly, during one session in a brothel, I started fingering a women's vagina - before realising I may have been doing something risky. I withdrew my finger immediately and wiped it on a tissue. This insertion cannot have lasted more than a minute. Am I at risk of having caught HIV and other STD infections from this? Should I avoid "fingering" a lady in the future?
3) I believe the Amsterdam sex workers don't have to take HIV/AIDS tests if they don't want to. Given this; how would you rate the risks of catching HIV (and other infections) over there, in general?
To sum up: Due to the skin issues I've mentioned; am I at extra risk of getting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases than people with normal skin - even if I practice safe sex?
I enjoyed my trip and want to go back again: but am terrified of catching something awful!!!
Thank you very much for your help.
FABIUS
Just a side note:A long flight on an airplane with recirculated air could have done the trick as well. Also, these women are more likley to be disease free believe it or not, they don't want to catch hiv anymore than you do, it's just good money for them. ..sounds like a good time though my friend...
you used protection so there is no reason to test or to worry. nothing from the described situation put you at risk.
it's that time of the year...cold and flu season...so relax. sounds like you just caught a cold. i know about 10-15 people who have the same thing that you do right now...me included.
it's that time of the year...cold and flu season...so relax. sounds like you just caught a cold. i know about 10-15 people who have the same thing that you do right now...me included.
listen you have been safe sometimes when you get sick it can last a month just depends just get tested if you like so you know your status that is whats important
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